Grant Williams’ plea on the importance of mental health

“Without the head, the legs are not worth much”, this is essentially the speech delivered by Grant Williams during his appearance at the “Rookie Transition Progam” last July. When asked to explain what made him turn a corner this season, position 4 of the Celtics naturally highlighted the advice of president Brad Stevens and his coach Ime Udoka: do a lot of video, hire a chef, and continue the exercises to improve his lateral quickness.

But there is another element that made the difference for him: having had recourse to a psychologist. It was assistant Joe Mazzula who helped him connect with mental health specialist Russ Rausch. And that’s also what changed the game for him.

“It’s probably the most important thing in the league, more than your physical health”he said, adding that the body could not give its full potential “if you are not well spiritually”.

Prepare for loneliness

Taking the example of its own history, the gamberge feeds on the loneliness that surrounds young players arriving in the NBA and this feeling of having to take it alone without flinching, discovering a whole new ultra-competitive environment, without having the opportunity to breathe or empty her bag.

“You are always on your own”, he added. “You’re not prepared for this, typically. There will be times in the league where you feel like it’s you against the rest of the world.

It’s then, in times of doubt, that mental lapses are most threatening, like when Grant Williams started his NBA career on tiptoe.

“I wondered how my career was going to unfold, if I was as good a shooter as I thought. You also get death threats from fans and all that other stuff. And it’s hard to live with.”

“I try to make myself the most available teammate or the most available person in the league”

For Grant Williams, those who last in the NBA are not necessarily the best players, but those who are “mentally strong enough to progress”.

“You see how it turned out for me, but not all stories are like mine. But to be able to say that we got out of it and that we are now on the other side, it is incredible ”he continued.

Beyond the fine speeches, the Celtics player also links words to deeds by now trying to be more available, whether for the rookies on his team or more broadly those he met that day.

“A lot of guys here are very anxious right now but will never admit it. I try to make myself the most available teammate or the most available person in the league. I always say, “Do you want my number? After the meeting, you can call me whenever you want”. This kind of things. We all go through it at one time or another.”